Archibald McIndoe

Pioneering plastic surgeon from Dunedin

Finally, a statue...

An early memory is of a large, drab, barracks-like building, surrounded by iron railings, with muscular and uncommunicative porters to repel enquirers. Although named a hospital, it had few visitors and patients were never glimpsed strolling in the ground or on balconies, enjoying the sun. Its function was to nurse those injured and severely disfigured in the 1914-1918 war. The public, it was argued, should be spared the sight of these patients. So they lived, some for many long years, in zenana-like seclusion. Similar establishments could be found throughout Europe.

Pic 1. Archibald McIndoe raises a toast to one of his 'guinea pigs'

Pic 2. The macquette of the proposed McIndoe statue

With the approach of the second world war and the inevitability of many casualties amongst aircrew, the Royal Air Force established a specialist hospital in the pleasant town of East Grinstead, some 30 miles from London. In charge was New Zealander Archibald McIndoe. Born in Dunedin (1900), this pioneering plastic surgeon had studied medicine at Otago University and at the celebrated Mayo Clinic in the United States. His work in rebuilding faces and hands of men ravaged by fire has been well-documented - (see list below). He operated on more than 600 airmen, with the treatment of many extending over months and even years.

He brought to his work a distinctly kiwi approach. It was the custom in British military hospitals for officers to be strictly segregated into private wards. (The novelist Simon Raven records that during his own much later army service, officers and their families enjoyed government-subsidised first-class rail travel in order to maintain what was seen as a suitable social distance.) Some officers expected this special treatment at East Grinstead: they were very quickly and firmly disabused of the idea that class distinction could exist in Mr McIndoe's hospital. More than democratic ideals were at work here. McIndoe was strongly aware of the risk that badly disfigured men would be tempted to shun the company of other people, and become increasingly withdrawn and isolated. From the beginning, he encouraged patients, no matter how badly disfigured, to go in to the town and to enjoy normal social life. There was to be no isolation in fortress-like wards for his patients.

He became a personal and life-long friend of many of his "guinea pigs" as they were called. Picture 1 shows him at one of the numerous weddings he attended; facial scars can just be seen on the young man's face. He would attend many family events of this kind up to his death in 1960. East Grinstead took McIndoe and his patients to their hearts, and frequently into their homes. The consideration with which townspeople treated the injured won for it the soubriquet of "the town that never stared". Now there are plans for a fitting and permanent memorial to this outstanding kiwi and his work. It is hoped to erect a life-sized statue, in bronze, of Mcindoe with patients. This will be placed in one of the town's many pleasant open spaces. Picture 2 shows the macquette – (a new word to me, meaning a scale model) – prepared by the sculptor. An appeal has been launched to raise the estimated cost of £100,000. Contributions may be sent to: Julie Holden, Town Clerk, East Court, College Lane, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 3LT, United Kingdom.